Upcoming Events

Get Involved

Volunteer Opportunities

Calling all Early Birds, Mid-day Strollers, & Night Owls. Our pets need your help while they wait for new homes. Apply to help today.

Join our volunteer team at One of New England's Largest No-kill Animal Shelters.

Caring for all the animals at NEAS is very rewarding, but it is also a lot of work. You must be 18 or over to volunteer handling the pets at NEAS. To help you decide if one of our volunteer programs is right for you, please review our Volunteer Information Packet. When you are ready to volunteer, you can apply online.

We presently need kennel volunteers for all shifts, but especially in the morning and evenings. We also need clinic volunteers and counselor assistants for various shifts.

Are you an early bird? The morning shift starts at 7 am and it is the busiest time of day at NEAS. There is much work to be done walking dogs, and cleaning dog runs and cat cages.

In the evenings, starting at 7 pm, we need volunteers to walk our dogs outside before they are tucked in for the night.

When you add a deed to your day, you will be rewarded with happy tail wags and purring!

Pleasefill out our online application,and we will get back to you in a few days. If you don't hear from us, check your spam folder or follow up with a phone call to (978) 745-9888 X305. We would love to have you on our team.

Videographer: 3 - 10 hrs/wk taking short videos of pets for the website

How do I become a volunteer?

A: The first step is to complete a Volunteer Application and submit it to the Volunteer Coordinator; you will receive a confirmation email from us within two weeks. If we are accepting new volunteers and your application matches available positions, you will be invited to attend an orientation and initial training session to learn what it is like to be part of our team, followed by a brief interview. Accepted applicants will then begin their 10 shifts of training during their regular volunteering schedule.

What do volunteers do at Northeast Animal Shelter?

A: Most of our volunteers work in the Kennel, Clinic and/or Reception. Other volunteer positions include assisting Adoption Counselors,Humane Educator, Senior Visitation, Community Outreach, and Foster Care (separate application). We also have Special Project volunteers who help in a variety of creative ways. Please read the Volunteer Job Descriptions in our Volunteer Information Packet.

How much of a commitment will I be required to make?

A: Most Volunteers are asked to commit to 4-6 months of service, depending on their program. Shifts are typically 4 hours long and are available every day of the week. Some programs offer more flexibility than others, while some are only available at certain times throughout the week. Please read the Volunteer Job Descriptions in our Volunteer Information Packet for each program's specific requirements.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

A: Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age to volunteer at our shelter. Younger folks are encouraged to get involved in community outreach as Shelter Ambassadors; please have your parent or guardian call the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

I have a community service project due; can I fulfill my requirement at NEAS?

A: Most community service projects are too short-termed to be fulfilled at our shelter (for example, Kennel Volunteers must be able to make a minimum six-month commitment), but outside projects, like organizing donation drives for items on our wish list, are often a perfect fit for projects that only require a few hours. Our Volunteer Coordinator can help you come up with a plan that will work for everyone.

Can I come in just to play with the puppies and kittens?

A: Taking care of all our animals is a LOT of work, and socializing them is one small part of a big job. We need to provide for their physical well-being first, and that means cleaning up after them and making sure all our adult dogs have been walked before we have time to play with any of the animals. We hope that volunteers will be able to spend some of their time socializing during each shift, but due to the large number of animals we are often responsible for, that is not always the case.

My schedule is unpredictable and I can't guarantee availability. Can I still volunteer?

A: A volunteer's options will be limited by their availability. Some positions (such as Kennel and Reception volunteers) require a structured commitment, whereas others (like Special Projects) are much more flexible. Whatever your availability might be, there is a volunteer program to fit your schedule and interests; please contact our Volunteer Coordinator to discuss your options.

Join Our Email

Did you know we have established programs that save the lives of animals all over the country? Read more in our newsletter!